(Port Orange, FL) Lira Motorsports is excited to announce the addition of Cole Powell to our ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards driver line-up. Powell will be joining our team for the International Motorsports Hall of Fame 200 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 1st.
The Mount Brydges, Ontario driver has two previous ARCA Racing Series starts at Daytona International Speedway in 2014 and 2015. Before making his ARCA Racing debut in 2014, Powell won NASCAR Whelen Modified Rookie of the Year honors in 2013, becoming the first Canadian to capture this title.
“We kept our eyes on Cole at Daytona in February, and he impressed us, running up front for a good portion of the race,” stated Lira Motorsports team owner Carlos Lira. “We’re confident that his consistency and precision behind the wheel will lead to a great finish in Talladega. We’re happy to have him as a part of our Ford Performance team.”
“I am really looking forward to racing with my new teammates Michael Lira and David Levine,” Powell commented. “I have been following their progress and can’t wait to join the team. I know that with crew chiefs Teddy Brown and Seth Smith, and all the highly qualified crew that Lira Motorsports has working in their shop, we all have a great shot at success in the 2015 ARCA series.”
Earlier this year Powell raced in two Whelen Modified races in the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway. He ran up front and led laps in both races, recording his best finish of 6th in the Whelen Modified Richie Evans Memorial 100. Racing since 2006, Cole has found success behind the wheel in Pro Truck, Modified, and Late Model competition.
The 22-year old racers Lira Motorsports ARCA Racing Ford Fusion will carry primary Sponsorship from Gary Yeoman’s Ford in Daytona Beach, FL and Ford Performance. The green flag for the International Motorsports Hall of Fame 200, which will be televised on Fox Sports 2, is scheduled for 5:00pm on Friday, May 1st.
“Most of all I am thankful for Carlos Lira for seeing something in me and giving me this incredible opportunity,” Powell concluded. “I truly believe that he is building something unique and cutting edge for this race series and I am honored to be a part of it. Junior Hanley [Veteran Canadian stock car driver and race car builder. Inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame in 2000.] once told me if you ever have a chance to be a part of a FORD Team, Take it, you’ll never regret FORD!!”
For more information about Cole Powell, follow him on Twitter @ColePowell and visit his website at ColePowellRacing.com. For more information about Lira Motorsports, follow the team on Twitter @LiraMotorsports and visit www.LiraMotorsports.com.
